Launching a luxury cruise vessel in this day and age is a risky venture, but the Yachts of Seabourn seem to know something about their upscale clientele. Despite the global recession and fares that start at $16,000, the inaugural 14-day sailing onboard the new Seabourn Odyssey was sold out.

The 32,000-ton, 450-passenger ship is the first new yacht in 15 years for Seabourn and the first luxury ship launched in 6 years. It’s also the first of three new vessels Seabourn is building, a 216 percent increase in capacity for the line, with Seabourn Sojourn launching in June 2010 and a third new-build in 2011. All three new ships are twice the size of Seabourn’s other yachts. “The launch of Odyssey allows us to serve more travelers but still offer the intimate and exclusive experience which has made us a leader in the luxury cruising market,” said Seabourn CEO Pamela Conover.

Modern luxurySeabourn calls all its vessels yachts because of the high service and amenities guests experience onboard. The line boasts the highest passenger to crew ratio in the luxury cruise market and the Odyssey has one the highest ratios of space per guest in the industry.

Odyssey’s design is modern and encompasses an elegant, sophisticated, yet understated ambiance. “The ship has been designed to provide options. That’s really what today’s customer wants,” says Conover. Like its sister ships, the Odyssey offers fine dining, relaxation, and fun. It has four restaurants, two outdoor swimming pools and six whirlpools, a water sports from the vessel’s marina and a diamond showroom.

Top 10 river cruisesWhat’s new? The Spa at Seabourn Odyssey is the largest spa on any luxury vessel covering a massive 11,400 square feet that spans two decks. There’s a waterfall at the entrance and facilities include seven treatment rooms, a gym with Kinesis equipment, a hydro pool, heated loungers, and a patio. The spa also features two 750-square-foot private retreat “Spa Villas” with seating and dining areas, indoor double bed lounger, two treatment beds, whirlpool and separate shower, and wraparound terrace with sun loungers for half-day use including preferred combination of treatments.

New are the Sun Terraces, all the way forward at the very top of the ship on Deck 11. These offer 17 double sun beds, full bar service and stocked iPods. Just aft of the Sun Terrace is the Retreat, a multi-activity piazza that features all kinds of deck sports for those who want a little more activity. There are two shuffleboard courts, a nine-hole golf putting course, and giant chess board for amusement. The area will also offer open air fitness classes and on evenings when the skies are clear, stargazing sessions under the guidance of an onboard trained celestial navigator.

One very unique addition is Seabourn Square, an idea conceived by Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation, Seabourn’s parent company. Seabourn Square has replaced the typical lobby style reception area found on most ships. The idea is to have a comfortable lounge area where guests can go for all their needs. The area is offers a coffee bar with pastries and gelato, Internet area, library, and in the center desks with the line’s Guest Services Specialists. Part purser, part destination services manager, part concierge and part future cruise expert, these multi-tasking staff are able to assist guests with virtually any inquiry or request on the spot.

Compared to Seabourn’s other yachts, the Odyssey offers more entertainment options. The Grand Salon main show lounge has a show stage with moveable seating and the pool patio area has more space for entertainers. The Observation Bar, high atop the bridge, offers live music and The Club will offer nightly dancing. There’s also a small casino for those that want to roll the dice.

Suite life
With just 225 suites, ninety percent with private verandas, guests can almost convince themselves it’s a superyacht. All suites have a modern look with earthy tones and décor. There are 13 suite categories, including Seabourn’s first penthouses, 23 of them. Each is 450 square feet with a 100-square-foot veranda. But they’re not the largest accommodations on board; those stretch more than 1,300 square feet.

All suite verandas are roomy enough for dining — you can order anything off the menu and be served course by course. And the all bathrooms have separate tub and shower compartments. Guests will feel special and cared for by everything from scented Pure Pampering baths drawn by the stewardess to a bar stocked with preferred beverages and spirits.

Gourmet dining
On Odyssey, the main dining venue is The Restaurant — a white and airy venue that is open seating and features fine dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The small Restaurant 2 offers an innovative small plate tasting menus served in a whimsical style. Both restaurants offer recipes inspired by Chef Charlie Palmer.

With teams using more than 100 unique apparatuses to launch globular projectiles a half-mile or more, the 27th annual World Championship Punkin Chunkin event is our pick as November’s Weird Festival of the Month.

On Deck 8 aft is The Colonnade a more casual, indoor/outdoor option. For breakfast and lunch, Colonnade offers Seabourn’s signature array of prepared hot and cold specialties, but they have done away with the classic buffet line and instead are offer different sorts of dishes from several positions around the room. Cooked-to-order items are available as well. In the evening Colonnade will feature influences of the cuisines of different countries or regions, i.e. Thai, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean or Chinese, plus a selection of classic fare such as steaks, fish and roast chicken.

Brand new on Odyssey is the Patio Grill. Situated poolside on Deck 8 it offers freshly baked pastries and coffee in the morning. At lunch time pizzas and grilled specialties are offered.

For those that can afford it, Seabourn Odyssey offers amazing personalized service in an atmosphere of intimate socialization and innovative sophistication — it truly has taken luxury cruising to a whole new level.

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